Design and characterization of DNA-origami cytoskeletal structures for synthetic erythrocytes

Blood is a precious and vital resource for many clinical interventions. Yet, in low- and middle-income countries, insufficient blood donations and their unsafe control are endemic burdens that cost lives. Despite several decades of attempts, a safe and universal blood substitute has yet to be developed. In this context, the ambitious goal of the SynEry project (funded via EIC Pathfinder Open in the framework of Horizon Europe) is to reproduce key features of erythrocytes in an advanced lipid vesicle or synthetic erythrocyte. Specifically, this project aims to achieve the construction of a biomimetic cytoskeleton to confer the synthetic erythrocytes with mechanical stability and biconcavity. The knowledge gained by producing such a synthetic erythrocyte is envisioned to enable the production of artificial cells with in-vivo applicability. It will pave the way towards the future development of an effective blood substitute that can remedy pervasive global blood availability and safety issues. Within the SynEry project, my tasks will focus on (1) design and characterization of DNA-based origami of cytoskeletal-like 3D structures at the nanoscale, (2) functionalization of DNA for ligand recognition and self-assembly at lipid bilayer surfaces, (3) biomechanical characterization of cells and artificial cells using atomic force microscopy, (4) numerical modelling of micro-mechanical properties of artificial cells.